Sharks to retire Patrick Marleau's No. 12

After 23 seasons in the NHL, the 42-year-old retired at the end of the 2021-22 season as the league's all-time leader in games played (1,779).  

"As a little boy skating on a frozen pond, my dream was to play in the NHL," Marleau said in the Sharks' press release. "Never could I have imagined the honor of my jersey hanging in the rafters above the very ice that I played so many of my NHL games on. I cannot begin to describe the way I feel. I am truly grateful and thankful for this recognition, but also for being able to play in front of the great San Jose Sharks fans for so long. I'll miss doing so for the rest of my life. Thank you to the Sharks organization, my teammates throughout my career, and especially the fans for this honor of a lifetime. I can't wait to see you all on Feb. 25."

Selected No. 2 overall in the 1997 NHL Draft, Marleau spent 21 seasons in San Jose, playing 1,607 of his 1,779 career games wearing the Sharks' black and teal. 

Marleau is the Sharks' franchise leader in games played (1,607), goals (522) and points (1,111).